Davidson Parks & Recreation is now pre-registering for programs that begin in January -from ongoing meetings such as Davidson Senior Scholars and Lake Norman Teen Council to music and dance classes to activities for pre-schoolers and other kids.

To register, or for more information, visit www.ci.davidson.nc.us or call 704-892-3349. All programs are held at the Parks & Rec office, 416 Armour St.,  unless noted.

Adult Activities

50+ Coffee Club
Come and spend your Wednesday mornings in a relaxing and social environment!  Meet old and new friends.  Coffee, games, newspapers, and pastries provided.  No registration required, just show up!
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    drop in between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Date:    Ongoing program beginning January 6
Fee:     Free
Age:    50 and up

Ask Dr. Walt- Questions You’ve Always Wanted to Ask Your Doctor
During this class you will learn how to naturally boost your immune system, health impacts of stress, how to prevent and naturally reverse most diseases, how to become informed consumers of medical care and health insurance, how to become a family advocate, and a bonus discussion on H1N1 Myth-Busters!
Day:    Tuesday
Time:    6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Date:    January 26 – February 9
Fee:    $45.00
Instructor:  Dr. Walt Kasmir, Stress Management & Peak Performance Consultant

Adult Beginning Piano
Ever dreamed of playing the piano……?  It is never too late.  Make your dream a reality. Have fun learning how to play the piano at Lessons On The Lake.  The adult beginner will learn how to play familiar songs and learn basic music theory in this program!
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Date:    January 13 – March 3
Fee:    $195.00 (8 weeks- includes piano lesson book)
Location:  Lessons on the Lake, Davidson
Instructor:  Valerie Kasmir

Dancing – Latin Mix
Use your creative energy to learn a few Latin dances!!  Just to name a few- The Salsa is a popular Lain nightclub dance which evolved as a modification to the Mambo and the Rumba is a slow to medium-tempo Latin American dance in 4/4 time.
Day:    Monday
Time:    6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Date:    January 25 – March 1
Fee:    $65.00
Instructor:  Havana Ballroom & Banquet

Dancing – Shag
In proper character, shag is a smooth, graceful dance with an emphasis on footwork rather than on turns.  The shag is a slotted swing dance that shares many figures with “jitterbug,” east coast swing, and west coast swing.
Day:    Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or
Thursday, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Date:    January 27 – March 4
Fee:    $65.00
Instructor:  Havana Ballroom & Banquet

Davidson Senior Scholars
The Davidson Senior Scholars was formed to provide programs that stimulate continual intellectual and cultural growth. The general format of the meetings is that of lecture followed by question and answer. The speakers are experts in their fields and may include Davidson college professors, local physicians, and business professionals. Programs are free. Monthly meetings take place from 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month at the Parks and Recreation office.  Check www.ci.davidson.nc.us for an updated listing of our speakers.

Toastmaster’s in Davidson
For business, PTA, entrepreneurs, church leaders….Since 1924 Toastmaster’s has helped millions to improve communication skills in a fun environment, learn to speak better on your feet, prepare speeches and deliver them, successfully manage the fear of public speaking, develop and improve leadership skills, improve presentations, expand people skills, discover and develop hidden talents, and learn to give and receive supportive evaluations.
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Date:    On-going program
Registration and Information:  Anette Powell, 704 655-7479 or  anettepowell@aol.com

Health and Fitness Series
KICK UP YOUR HEELS and your fitness training results with Davidson Parks & Rec this winter!  We’ve got hot new additions to our fitness and wellness offerings along with your favorite classes returning.

Body Sculpting for Women
Work with a certified personal trainer to develop a routine you can do at home with little or no expense, equipment. This program has proven results and targets hard to tone areas–lower body and abs. Start the New Year right with a new great shape!
Day:    Tuesday
Time:    5:30 p.m. – 6:25 p.m.
Date:    January 5 – 26
Fee:    $30.00 (4 weeks)
Instructor:  Sandra McQueen

Resistance to the Core
A strong core/abs is the essence of fitness. Using light weights, bands, and Pilates technique, increase flexibility and strength, decrease back pain, and feel better all over. This is a good class for those just starting exercise.
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    6:30 p.m. – 7:25 p.m.
Date:    January 6 – 27
Fee:    $30.00 (4 weeks)
Instructor:  Sandra McQueen

Belly dancing
Express yourself, energize, synergize, with a 20-year veteran of this beautiful ancient art form. No previous dance experience required. All ages and fitness levels welcome! This is a good class for those just starting exercise. Dance your way to a new you!
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    5:30 p.m. – 6:25 p.m.
Date:    January 6 – 27
Fee:    $30.00 (4 weeks)
Instructor:  Sandra McQueen

Stretch and Strengthen
Work with a certified personal trainer to develop a routine you can do at home with little or no expense, equipment. By alternating stretching and strength exercises, you can maximize muscle efficiency and improve all around fitness. This is a small class with a lot of individual attention. Modifications will be given for all levels of fitness.
Day:    Monday
Time:    5:30 pm. – 6:25 p.m.
Date:    February 1 – 22 or March 1 – 22
Fee:    $30.00 (4 weeks)
Instructor:  Sandra McQueen

Gentle Vinyasa
This class combines relaxing yoga poses that gently stretch and strengthen muscles.  Learn to link breath with movement.
Day:    Monday
Time:    11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Date:    January 25 – March 1
Fee:    $60.00 (6 weeks)
Location:  Community Yoga, Cornelius

Hatha Yoga-Basic
Hatha yoga broken down.  The class is done at a slower pace and is ideal for beginning students, or those wishing to deepen their experience.
Day:    Thursday
Time:    7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Date:    January 28 – March 4
Fee:    $60.00 (6 weeks)
Location:  Community Yoga, Cornelius

Ashtanga-Inspired
Ashtanga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures: a process producing intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscle and organs.  The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body and a calm mind.
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Date:    January 27 – March 3
Fee:    $70.00 (6 weeks)
Location:  Community Yoga, Cornelius

Gentle Yoga
Come to create balance and peace in your life by stretching muscles that you never knew you had.  As we begin to strengthen and open the body through these postures, asana, we also encourage concentration to find inner stillness, perseverance, patience, and self-acceptance, which will benefit our mind and overall health.
Day:    Friday
Time:    11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Date:    January 29 – March 5
Fee:    $60.00 (6 weeks)
Location:  Community Yoga, Cornelius

Semi-Private Personal Training at Davidson Snap Fitness
Today’s hectic lifestyles mean you don’t have time to waste on ineffective exercise routines. Personal trainers help maximize your time by providing workouts designed to meet your goals quickly and efficiently.   Our certified personal trainers will lead a small group through an intense total body workout, twice weekly for 6 week sessions. Expect quick results from routines that encompass the three key areas of fitness—cardio, strength and flexibility.  More and more people, both novice and veteran exercisers, are working with personal trainers because they offer a practical and affordable means of getting and staying healthy.  Personal instruction ensures proper technique, safety, injury avoidance, and the best results.  Get all the benefits of a certified personal trainer at a fraction of the cost!  Indoor/Outdoor weather permitting.
Day:    Monday and Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Monday and Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Tuesday and Thursday, 6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Date:    January 11 – February 18
Fee:    $185.00 – (12) One Hour Classes
$125.00 – (12) Half Hour Classes-
Instructors:  Heidi Nyquist (1 hour class) and Marie Rockwood (1/2 hour class)

Weight Loss Challenge
The Weight Loss Challenge is a fun program that helps people develop better nutritional habits.  We teach people that in order to lose weight they need to eat a certain amount of protein and we help them with meal plans. We offer our own weight management program through Herbalife; however participants are not required to join our program to be a part of the challenge.  Here are the subjects we cover during the 12 weeks:
Protein 101
Meal Plans, Snacking & Water
Metabolism
Carbohydrates; Shopping and Cooking; Cellular Nutrition
Nutrition Labels; Fats; Portion Control
Digestive Health
Dining Out
Fiber
Sugar
Exercise
Heart Health
Maintenance – Long-Term Health
We weigh and measure the first week and then we weigh-in each week and take measurements again at the end.  The program is designed to calculate the percentage of body weight lost, so men and women can compete against each other. The entry fee is $35.00 for each participant and the cash prizes get paid out.  As with any health program, check with your doctor to confirm your clean bill of health.
Day:       Thursday
Time:     7:15 p.m.
Date:      January 7 – March 25
Fee:        $35.00
Instructor:  Mercedes Robinson, LKN Nutrition

Martial Arts with Joe Martin
Tai Chi for the Living Room
Requiring only one meter of space, Tai Chi for the Living Room is designed to provide students with all of the benefits of other forms of tai chi, but in 1/10 of the time and with 1/10 the frustration!  If you’ve ever quit studying tai chi because you couldn’t wait years to reap the fruits of your labor, then Tai chi for the Living Room is for you.
Day:    Tuesday and Thursday
Time:    6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Date:     January 5 – February 11
Fee:    $85.00
Location: Community School of Davidson Gymnasium

Family/Adult Kung Fu
Think of the advantages of learning dutiful respect, proper discipline and appropriate self-confidence where size is not a limiting factor in performance or achievement.  Kung fu has been praised for centuries for its ability to develop people of all ages to gain a better understanding of their potential as their true abilities surface through the time-tested methods of self-awareness and self-defense.
Day:    Tuesday and Thursday
Time:    7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Date:     January 5 – February 11
Age:    8 and up
Fee:    $85.00
Location: Community School of Davidson Gymnasium

Adult Art Classes

Watercolor with Jim Kerr
The goal of this course is to provide students with a roadmap to successful watercolor painting which will include:  landscapes, seascapes, still life and portraits.  Learn various techniques and applications.
Day:    Thursday or Saturday
Time:    9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Date:    January 7 – 30
Fee:     $80.00

Ikebana Flower Arranging with Carol Cook
Learn the art of Ikebana, Japanese Flower Arranging.
Day:    Monday
Time:    10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Date:    January 4 -25
Fee:     $50.00

Preschool Activities
Preschool Basketball w/ Coach Elizabeth Root
Prepare your child for organized sports.  Parents will participate with their child in order to assist development of basic motor and age-appropriate sports-specific skills.  Build confidence and self-esteem while experiencing success and fun with basketball!!
Day:       Tuesday
Time:    4:30 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Date:       January 26 – February 23
Age:      3-4
Fee:          $55.00
Location: Community School of Davidson

Pre-Piano Presto with Valerie Kasmir
Description: A young beginner approach to piano instruction. This fun-filled piano class will teach your child rhythm reading, geographic location of the letter names on the keyboard, and will develop the five-finger dexterity of both hands. Your child will be able to play familiar songs by the end of this program. *(A minimum of 4 students and a maximum of 8 students can be enrolled in this class.)
Day:          Wednesday
Time:        12:15 p.m. – 1:15p.m.
Date:       Session 1- January 13 – February 17
Fee:        $99.00 (6 weeks)
Age:        4 – 6 (beginners)
Location:  Lessons on the Lake, Davidson

Pre-School Art with Explore!
Your child is never too young to develop their creativity! Children learn our step-by-step Explore method, which teaches them how to transform simple shapes into great art. Emphasis is placed on refining the student’s motor skills, encouraging their independence, and improving their ability to take instruction, make shapes and apply color.
Day:    Thursday
Time:    2:45 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Date:    January 7 – 28
Fee:    $65.00
Age:    4 – 5

Youth Activities

Violin Presto
This class focuses on a young beginner’s approach to Violin instruction. Learn the art of playing the Violin. Each child will learn music theory, proper techniques, ear training, rhythmic reading, and finger geography of the violin. The lessons will be taught through a musical based curriculum guidebook.  Book is included.
Day:    Thursday
Time:    3:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.
Date:    Session 1- January 14 – February 18
Fee:    $99.00 (6 weeks)
Age:    7 – 10
Location:  Lessons on the Lake, Davidson

Guitar Presto
This class focuses on a young beginner’s approach to Guitar instruction. Learn the art of playing the guitar. Each child will learn music theory, proper techniques, ear training, rhythmic reading, and finger geography of the guitar. The lessons will be taught through a musical based curriculum guidebook.  Book is included.
Day:    Tuesday
Time:    3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Date:    Session 1- January 12 – February 16
Fee:    $99.00 (6 weeks)
Age:    7 – 10
Location:  Lessons on the Lake, Davidson

Drum/Percussion Presto
This class focuses on a young beginner’s approach to drum instruction. Learn the art of playing drums or percussion instruments. Each child will learn music theory, proper techniques, ear training, and rhythmic reading. The lessons will be taught through a musical based curriculum guidebook.  Book is included.
Day:    Thursday
Time:    4:30 p.m. -5:15 p.m.
Date:    Session 1- January 14 – February 18
Fee:    $99.00 (6 weeks)
Age:    7 – 10
Location:  Lessons on the Lake, Davidson

Explore! Artist Apprentice After School Art Camp
This Explore! Art class will give you a look into the life and artistic style of many different Famous artists.
You will be learning to do illustrations in the “style of” the different artist and begin to feel how each artist expressed their own personal art style through their own personal technique. We all have different ways of expressing ourselves through artwork- this class will leave room for each student to develop and express their own personal style.
Day:    Thursday
Time:    4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Date:    January 7 – March 11
Fee:    $150.00
Grade:    2-5

Cartoon Craze After School Camp
SpongeBob, Spiderman, Bolt and much more await your budding cartoonist. Discover how to make characters come to life by drawing your favorites (while also learning a little art and cartoon history along the way)! Using step-by- step instruction and simple easy to understand basic shapes and lines, we will have you drawing the classics in no time, as you learn tricks of the trade and artist secrets that make your drawings look professional, like a real cartoonist. While an artistic eye is a must, no prior drawing lessons are required.
Day:    Thursday
Time:    5:15 p.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Date:    January 7 – March 11
Fee:    $150.00
Grade:    K – 3

Teen Activities

Lake Norman Teen Council
Want to meet new friends or have something fun to do that looks great on your college application?  Join our newly established LKN Teen Council for middle and high school students.  This organization provides service projects, workshops, campus cruises, and the opportunity to go on teen trips!  This season we will be working on a Halloween fundraiser, holiday festivals, service projects, teen trips, state youth conferences, and more!  You may come to the meetings to join the council or just come to check us out! The council is limited to 40 teens so don’t miss your chance!  Please check our website www.ci.davidson.nc.us or www.corneliuspr.org  for more up to date information on our activities! This council is supported by the Parks and Recreation Departments of Davidson, Cornelius, and Huntersville.
Council Meetings:
Day:    Tuesday
Time:    6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Date:    January 12 and 26, February 9 and 23, March 9 and 23
Location:  Davidson Parks and Recreation Office

Davidson Community Players
All classes for the Davidson Community Players are held at the Armour Street Theatre

Connie Company Jr.: Classes for Elementary and Home School
Theatre Play & Improvisation
Explore a broad range of theatre games, improvisation techniques and basic performance skills. Students work as members of a team, building important cooperation and collaboration skills.  Opportunities for individual and small group work will build self confidence, all in a laid back, fun atmosphere.  The session culminates with a sharing for family and friends.
Day:    Saturday
Time:    10:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Date:    January 30 – May 22
Fee:    $140.00
Grades:    K – 2

Day:    Monday
Time:    4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Date:    February 1 – May 17
Fee:    $140.00
Grades:    3 – 5

The Connie Company:  Classes for Middle & High School
Monologue and Scene Study
Students will work solo, in pairs and trios on a diverse array of age-appropriate monologues and scenes from American comedies and dramas Geared to increase script analysis, character development and all-around acting skills, this class emphasizes hands-on experience and individualized instruction in a studio format. Class will culminate with a showcase for parents and friends.
Day:    Monday
Time:    5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Date:    February 1 – May 17
Fee:    $150.00
Grades:    6 – 12 (grouped by age)

Therapeutic Recreation
Youth Therapeutic Recreation
The Towns of Davidson, Cornelius PARC and Huntersville Parks and Recreation Departments have teamed up to offer a variety of Therapeutic Recreation Programs. Therapeutic Recreation uses treatment, leisure education and recreation participation to help people with illnesses, disabilities and other conditions to develop and use their leisure in ways that enhance their health, functional abilities, independence and quality of life.   Financial assistance is available to Davidson, Cornelius and Huntersville residents.

Dance and Movement Class with Jenny Griffes
This class is based on the BrainDance theory, which incorporates exercises that stimulate the body through movement.  Co-Sponsored by the YMCA and led by Dance Instructor, Jenny Griffes.
Day:    Wednesday
Time:    6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Date:     January 13 – February 17
Age:    5 and up
Fee:    $40.00
Location: Huntersville Arts and Cultural Center
To register or for more information, contact Jenny Griffes: 704 716-6780,  jenny.griffes@ymcacharlotte.org
Registration deadline: January 6

Adult Therapeutic Recreation
Program Goal: To provide the opportunity to socialize with peers, improve self-esteem, learn new skills and increase independence.  We invite you to join us for a different activity each month.  Bring your friends or come alone and meet new ones. Ages 20 and up.  Registration is required.

Davidson College Basketball Game
Day:    Saturday
Time:    1:30 p.m. (meet at box office)
Date:    January 9
Fee:    $6.00
Location: Baker Sports Complex
Registration Deadline: January 4